Update 01/11/2024 1:44am:
Toronto Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic expressed his dissatisfaction with the officiating after the Los Angeles Lakers secured 23 free throws in the fourth quarter during their narrow 132-131 victory on Tuesday night. In a passionate postgame rant, Rajakovic criticized the disparity in free throw opportunities, particularly highlighting the limited calls for star player Scottie Barnes, whom he considers an All-Star-caliber talent.
In a not-so-surprising turn of events, rapper and Raptors fan Drake came to Rajakovic's defense. Posting the coach's rant on his Instagram stories, Drake conveyed his support with the message: "Toronto has a real one as their coach; this guy is a GUYZER." This isn't the first instance of Drake expressing admiration for Rajakovic, as he previously delivered a motivational speech in the locker room earlier in the season during a victory over the Suns.
Original 01/10/2024 7:05am:
Anthony Davis played a pivotal role in the Lakers securing back-to-back victories, but Raptors coach Darko Rajaković attributed the 132-131 outcome to officiating rather than Davis' performance.
In the absence of center Jakob Poeltl, who is sidelined with a sprained ankle, the Raptors grappled with containing Anthony Davis. The Lakers' standout delivered an impressive display, scoring 41 points on 13-of-17 shooting and grabbing 11 rebounds. Notably, Davis dominated the fourth quarter, contributing 20 points to help the Lakers clinch a 132-131 win at Crypto.com Arena.
Despite Davis's standout performance, Raptors coach Rajaković expressed frustration with the officiating post-game. The Lakers attempted 36 free throws compared to the Raptors' 13, and in the fourth quarter alone, the disparity was 23-2. Rajaković, likely facing a fine for his comments, passionately stated, "They had to win tonight? If that’s the case, just let us know so we don’t show up for the game. Just give them a win. But that was not fair tonight."
LeBron James contributed 22 points and 12 assists for the Lakers, while Christian Wood added 14. The Raptors showcased a more balanced offensive approach, with seven players reaching double figures, including all five starters. Scottie Barnes led the way for the Raptors with 26 points.
